E-Malt.com News article: Malta: Construction works at Farsons’ new brewery to be finished on time and on budget

The construction of Farsons’ new brewery is on time and on budget, Farsons group executive board chairman Louis Farrugia was quoted as saying by The Malta Independent on November, 26.

The construction of the company’s new brewhouse, costing €12.5 million, started in July last year. The brewing plant itself, which was purchased in October and is currently being installed by Krones, a leading German supplier of plant equipment specialising in the beverage industry, costs around €6 million. It includes a new malt handling tower, storage space for raw material, a rainwater reservoir, quality control laboratories and offices for technical staff.

The investment follows another €25 million investment in the soft drinks packaging hall and logistics centre opened in 2008.

The construction of the plant shell and its internal and external finishes are being carried out by local contractors.

Mr Farrugia said that Farsons is hoping to start a series of cleaning cycles and testing the new plant by the end of January and full commissioning by May. Meanwhile, Farsons employees are being retrained by foreign trainers to equip the new plant.

The new brewhouse will replace the 70-year-old brewhouse, which once decommissioned, will eventually be turned into a museum and tourist attraction, as a showcase of the Farsons heritage, he added.

“The investment was crucial to sustain Farsons’ future especially to expand the exportation of its products. Over the past three years Farsons exported 12% of the volume it produced. What we have seen today is the fruit of 100% Maltese investment. Farsons is made of 100% Maltese shareholders, board, management and workers. The success is due to them,” he remarked.

The new brewhouse will give Farsons more efficiency and versatility, leading to further improvements in product quality and lower production costs. The project also incorporates energy-saving measures, after Farsons benefited from government incentives. These include energy recovery systems, natural ventilation and energy saving lighting. Savings are also expected from automated malt handling and better yields.

Minister Fenech commended Farsons’ initiative to invest at the height of the economic crisis. “Farsons, a company renowned for high level product, precision and dedication has looked at the future optimistically and taken concrete action to improve its product and expand its local and foreign market share by gaining competitiveness,” he said.

Farsons made use of one of many initiatives to support local industries.

So far €38 million have been provided by the government and a total of €78 million were invested through co-funding. Next year €8 million will be made available to help industry invest in research and innovation, along with other fiscal incentives.


30 November, 2011